Our Law Documentary Series Commissioned by NITV
Following the success of the 2020 half hour WA documentary, Our Law, a full six-part documentary series has been commissioned by NITV.
After an incredible response to the groundbreaking standalone documentary in 2020, Screenwest is thrilled to support the full six-part series commission of Our Law for NITV, which will ask the question, “Could Indigenous police officers be the ultimate front-line in changing police culture and rebuilding trust with Aboriginal peoples?”
Produced by Taryne Laffar and Sam Bodhi Field, and directed by Cornel Ozies, the 2020 documentary followed two Noongar police officers, Senior Sergeant Revis Ryder and Sergeant Wendy Kelly, as they policed one of the most remote beats in the world, Warakurna – home to an Indigenous community still practicing the lore of one of the world’s oldest living cultures. In Western Australia’s first and only Indigenous-run police station, Ryder and Kelly learned Yarnangu Lore and culture and mastered the local Ngaanyatjarra language, in an attempt to gain trust and replace the historical black and white law enforcement approach of the past.
Netflix acquired Australia and New Zealand streaming rights to the 27-minute documentary, after it attracted international media attention following its world premiere at the virtual edition of Sydney Film Festival 2020, television premiere on NITV and Western Australian premiere in real life at CinefestOZ 2020.
“It is with relief, excitement, responsibility and pride that I wish to say, to be working with and for so many Indigenous Traditional Owners and Communities around Western Australia – this is for you. Our Law not only shines a light on the policing of Aboriginal Peoples in WA, through the lens of Aboriginal Police Officers and the Indigenous Peoples and Communities they police, but is providing solutions based contemporary evidence when looking at the historical and contemporary issues of relations between Indigenous Peoples and the WA Police.” said Taryne Laffar, Series Producer.
The full series will be directed by Perun Bonser, and will branch out to follow multiple unfolding stories and subjects across the six episodes, with Our Law’s cameras being granted intimate and candid access to Indigenous police officers across Western Australia.
The series has also attracted industry heavyweights Blackfella Films to the project, with Darren Dale and Jacob Hickey jumping on board as Executive Producers after being impressed with the standalone documentary.
“I’m proud to be supporting Pink Pepper and Periscope Pictures. Our Law has made such an impact with the initial NITV half hour documentary, which went onto being acquired by Netflix, and is now commissioned as a full six-part series by NITV. Our Law addresses the need for deeper cultural understanding for healing within Indigenous communities in Western Australia, and is an intersection between law enforcement, Indigenous agency and culture. The project is a timely reminder, and encouragement of wider audiences to acknowledge and experience the wealth of stories from Indigenous people across this vast state, and I’m looking forward to see the final series.” said Devina McPherson, Screenwest Indigenous Program Manager.
“The commission of Our Law as a six-part series by NITV speaks volumes of the filmmaking team’s ability to navigate the complexities of First Nations people’s relationship with law enforcement, to tell a story of great importance to WA and Australia more broadly.” said Paul Williams, Screenwest Documentary Manager.
Filming has now kicked off in locations across Western Australia.
Our Law is a Pink Pepper and Periscope Pictures co-production for NITV, produced by Taryne Laffar, Sam Bodhi Field, Darren Dale and Jacob Hickey. Principal production investment from Screen Australia, in association with NITV. Financed with support from Screenwest and Lotterywest.